First off I need to say THANK YOU to everyone who sent thoughts via social media and those that came out to celebrate my big day. It was absolutely fantastic to see everyone of you and what a day.
Golf Fang was so much fun. Apocalyptica were amazing and Fuel was rocking but it would not have been as great a day without everyone who came and made the day so very special. You were all brilliant and really made my 55th very special.
Wednesday 2nd October
I had a fairly decent start to the week. It was quite windy but it was dry. I’d been out to collect my prescription and stopped at B&M for some Mayflower curry sauce, I decided to head down the road to the reservoirs for a wander.
A unusual one this week though. The reservoir is split in two by a breakwater. The top reservoir has been closed as it’s looking to protect overwintering birds that have chosen to make their home in Lisvane! So, it was a lap or two around the bottom reservoir.
Two laps around was about 2.6 miles. The path across the top of the reservoir and then a path that winds around the bottom that is slightly longer.
Parking is fine and you get 90 minutes free parking before you’re charged for it. I could have done a third lap as I had a good 40 minutes left but my shoulder started to ache so I thought it best just to do the two laps. Maybe next time if the shoulder holds out I can up it to a third lap.
Thursday 3rd October
It wasn’t a day in the office for me on Thursday. I had the day at home which meant that my steps during the day were very low. I did get out for a wander. Only the Thornhill Mile and a Half. Up to the motorway and back down.
Foodwise I had been pretty decent. I needed to at least try to be good as I knew that the weekend was not going to be fantastic. It didn’t take too long for things to start going downhill!
Friday 4th October
So, my last day in work and a lovely long weekend beckoned.
One of the things I have missed over the last few months is a tasty succulent Chinese meal! I have hankered after Sweet and Sour chicken with fried rice and chips for ages. I’ve dreamed of it so on the run up to the weekend, I decided that I would have one.
Mandy came over for a few hours after work and it was decided that we’d head over to The Mandarin for a takeaway. She treated me to a lovely meal and I admit that I enjoyed every morsel!
Saturday 5th October
It was going to be a very long but extremely fun day. Starting at about 2pm at The Traders Tavern we met most of the gang before heading over to Golf Fang for 18 holes of crazy golf. I had been there before but had never been with 23 friends before now!
We set off to complete the course. Three teams of six and one team of five players. A bit late to tee off but it was a fantastic few hours. I managed a couple of hole-in-one’s which was nice and ended up with the lowest score of our little team. It was lots of fun and I’m certain that we will be going again for another round!
Food was next up so just downstairs from Golf Fang is Smokehaus. A very delicious BBQ restaurant. I decided to have a chicken burger and some fries. Simon had a rack of ribs and of course the food envy struck. Dammit I knew I should have had those!!
Next stop was The Student Union for Apocalyptica. I had been given a ticket by Tom Murdie and Lauren. Tom had accessibility and had one ticket pluc a carer! So Alex was my carer for the evening! When we arrived at the venue, we were taken to a waiting area where someone was to take us up to the balcony from where we could watch the show.
As we waited, Simon popped his head around the corner and shouted “Phil… What are you waiting for??” I suppose we should have mentioned that we had an Access ticket. Almost rumbled there!
It was a good gig and after a few hours it was time to head back over to Fuel to end the night. I was still feeling okay at this point but those of my friends that remained certainly had other ideas!
Five hours later and I finally got home to sleep!
Sunday 6th October
Sunday was a rest day. I did very little on Sunday. I managed to get to Sainsbury’s and as it was close on my birthday, I thought that I’d treat myself to a bit of roast lamb. I love lamb. It’s my absolute favourite. I think that I slightly over cooked it so perhaps it could have done with a little less time in the oven but it was still utterly delicious!
Monday 7th October
At last, my actual birthday and a day off work.
Mandy came over and we headed off to Wenvoe. Mum passed away three years ago today so ever since then I’ve put flowers down for her at a spot in St Mary’s Church. There is a part of the church yard that has been set aside for the ashes of parishioners. There’s a small headstone there and a vase for flowers.
There was a funeral that was just starting as we arrived. We took some of her favourite carnations and filled up the little vase. I had a little chat with her and must admit that I did get a bit emotional just letting her know that we still think about her every day.
From there, we had a bit of a road trip to Wincanton and The Haynes Motor Museum. A lovely collection of vehicles right from the 1890’s through to modern classics. One of my all time favourite cars the Jaguar XJ220 was in the collection as well as a Mk1 Ford Cortina (I remember my father having one with vinyl seats that singed the back of your legs when they heated up in the 1970’s sun!)
It was a good visit and a fair few hours wandering around looking at the exhibits.
It took a few hours to get back to Cardiff. The M4 is exceptionally slow on the way into Wales and especially around Newport.
A Toby Carvery later and that was the end of my day. 🙂
The Tale of the Scale.
As you can probably imagine, the scales of doom were unlikely to register a loss this week. I had chinese, beers, smokehaus, more beers and a Toby Carvery. I was just expecting the three pound gain that I’d told consultant Rob to expect!
The scales of doom however registered that with the walking the week before I managed a half pound loss.
I nearly fell off the scales. I was convinced that I had put on again and that I’d have had a shed load of work to do in order to get back on track.
I’ll certainly try my best to stay on track and to get a loss again next week.
Next time.
There shouldn’t be very much holding me back this week. I don’t have any plans for the weekend so I’m hopeful that I may be able to get out for a walk or two over Saturday and Sunday. Either at the reservoirs again or over to Roath Park. I may get into the car and perhaps go for a drive somewhere.
Hopefully I can replicate the success of this last week and lose another pound or who knows two!
I will let you know next time.
